Charles Rodney King

Memorial services for Charles “Rodney” King, 65, of Huntington, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on October 10, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Zavalla, with Stephen Forrest officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Gipson Funeral Home. The family will welcome friends and loved ones at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at First Baptist Church of Zavalla.

Rodney was born July 2, 1961, in Lufkin, Texas, to C.C. “Charlie” King Jr. and Marie Townsend King, and passed away peacefully at his home in Huntington on September 18, 2026.

Rodney grew up in Zavalla, Texas, and graduated in 1979 from Zavalla High School. He attended Angelina College and spent his 31-year career at Lufkin Industries, retiring as Director of Foundry Maintenance.

Rodney met Debbie in 2010, and what began as endless hours spent talking on the phone quickly grew into something special. For several months, they spent countless hours getting to know one another, until Debbie finally moved close enough that those long phone calls were no longer necessary. The two were married on December 2, 2012.

Together, they enjoyed life's simple pleasures—sitting outside at night watching the full moon, riding around on the side-by-side, and gathering with friends for fish fries. But more than anything, Rodney loved being on the lake. It was a place where he found joy and spent some of his happiest moments.

Rodney loved to fish, and after he sold his boat, he could be found at the Monterrey Park boat ramp several times a day checking things out to see if the fish were still biting.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Debbie King of Sweetwater; son, Lee King and wife Kristi, and children Austin and Aiden, of Huntington; sons Charlie and Ethan King; stepdaughter, Mikya Wiltse and husband Nathan of Sweetwater; step grandchildren, Kialyn Wiltse and Kamryn Wiltse, both of Sweetwater; and step great-granddaughter, Carter Rae Wiltse of Sweetwater.

He is also survived by his brother, James King of Zavalla; nieces who were like siblings, Lisa King Rader, Coni King, and Kelly Corbin; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Carole Stuart, and father-in-law, Tommie Jack Stuart, both of Sweetwater; sisters-in-law, Belynda Rains of Roby and Sharon Carrillo and husband Tim of Sweetwater.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Linda King.

Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Kinney, David Ham, Donnie Harrison, and Jess Williams.